"Are you sure taking the kid along is the best idea?" Taiyang asked Qrow, but no answer was returned. The two waited outside the entrance of the local blacksmith just outside of Vale. A small establishment that sold fairly good items that might interest a traveling Huntsman.

But they were not here to buy anything new, their guest insisted on doing something he described as 'special'. That was a month ago, about a week after the adult Huntsmen searched Beacon. Luckily, Qrow knew the blacksmith of this shop, and that he owed him a favor. It took some convincing and a few drinks to get the owner to agree, but in the end he finally did. Now, here they were, one month to the day they were told to come back, and waiting for Jaune to step back out with whatever it was he asked for.

Qrow checked his scroll: it was an hour past noon. He recalled back to Taiyang's question and knew sooner or later he would have to tell him what happened that night.

He considered what he would say. Taiyang already knew about Salem, as did the rest of what was once his team. The world knew that, at life, Ozpin was dead. They both knew better—but how would Tai take knowing what Ozpin was about to do to Pyrrha?

"There's more to him than you think, Tai," he said, figuring there was a long enough silence, "Oz chose her."

Taiyang snapped a look towards him, then a little further through the door and back to the outside away from the shop. It was like something so obvious struck him in the face, he even bobbed his head as he took a deep breath.

"Man," he finally broke through his disbelief, "so that girl—she was going to replace Amber?" Suddenly everything was starting to make sense, and now he really felt sorry for Jaune. What he asked would be confirmed with a solemn nod from Qrow.

"Yeah, but I guess the headlines speak for themselves now, huh?" Qrow brought his flask from his pocket, swirling it around he guessed there was a quarter left inside. He drank the rest and finally answered Taiyangs question properly. "He's the only other one of us who knows what we're up against. With Oz in the wind there's no keeping the other academies safe, you know that. Our best shot is getting what this kid needs and getting him ready for whatever comes next."

Taiyang shifted himself to leaning his shoulder against the doorway. His stone-like expression was telling Qrow he disagreed, but the look in his eyes told another story; Taiyang wanted to argue, he was showing he wanted to argue...but he knew that as crazy as it sounded, Qrow was right. He was right on the fact that Jaune now knew about Ozpin's intentions. He was right about the academies. And he was right about taking him along for the fight.

The fight. He had heard of how fond Ozpin was of the team his daughters were on. He knew the pattern, it was just like his own teams experience in Beacon. The way Ozpin directed their professors, bent the rules for them on training missions, keeping certain accidents quiet—it was all very telling that he was wanting to see just how much they were capable of. But after Beacon, wherever he is now, he must be disappointed in himself. Taiyang knew he was disappointed in him. He knew Ozpin was preparing to bring his daughters into a fight they did not know existed. It was such a cliché thing to think about; a secret war fought by a handful of chosen soldiers, and it was all true...but he wanted no part of it.

That was until now, and it started five months ago when his daughters never returned from Beacon.

The doors of the shop flew open, and out came the blacksmith and Jaune, who now wore armor and a sword on his hip that were fit for a true Huntsman. Very ornate, white and gold, Taiyang thought it was a little much, but whatever suits him will suit us later on.

Qrow was consulting with the blacksmith, who appeared to be talking to him about something Taiyang did not care to listen into. He kept his attention on Jaune and his new armor. He had the old equipment that looked like training gear (probably because it was) melted down and remade into more respectable armor fit for a master Huntsman. But what really stood out was the details of the shield once he opened it; it was not too different from his original shield, his double-arc crest was still present. What was new was something he did not initially recognize: he had the impression of Pyrrha's crown inlaid into the shield plating, and the crossguard of his sword bore the same impression. Immaculate. That is the word he would use to describe the armor now: immaculate, and kind of romantic—in a very weirdly unique way.

Qrow had finished his talk with the blacksmith. Whatever they spoke about left a bad taste in his mouth, as his stark expression grew worse when he pulled out his flash and found it to be empty. "Apparently this was worth two favors—the bastard," he growled, "guess I'm gonna be teaching some kid a lesson about payback down in Vale later."

He turned to Jaune. "You hear that, kid? I'm probably gonna have to knock some kids jaw crooked cus of this favor."

Jaune had sheathed his sword and put away the shield, hooking both at his hip. "Well, I'd say it's worth it."

After hearing this, Qrow did not know whether to agree with him or outright slap him across the face. Maybe both. But if things planned out the way he thought they would, he would not have to hurt anyone anytime soon unless they really deserve it. Satisfied with at least getting this deed done, he turned to head back to Taiyangs lodge, his brother-in-law and Jaune following him.

About halfway back to the lodge, a large, red circle formed in front of the three. Tai and Qrow took positions in front of Jaune, but neither drew their weapons or even looked liked they meant to attack.

Jaune was speechless, he had no idea what was going on. He would become more thrown off by the fact that a figure appeared from what he now guessed was a portal. A tall, raven haired figure in black and red robes and a large sword sheath comprised of countless blades. Her eyes were as bright red as blood, frightening. He looked to Taiyang, as she did too, and noticed that his expression remained unchanged. Is he acting tough, or does he know her, he asked himself. Actually, he himself felt like he knew her—she looked a lot like Yang.

Getting a better look at her he could see that her expression was somewhere along the lines of what he would guess were neutral, and actually mourning.

"About time you showed up, Raven," Qrow said with some hostility.

Raven dismissed the comment, keeping her gaze locked on Taiyang. She sheathed her sword and slowly stepped towards him, tears pooling in her eyes. Not quite what either of the men expected.

"It's Yang, isn't it?" said Taiyang, knowing that was the only reason why Raven would come to him after all these years.

Raven remained silent as she continued towards Taiyang, soon actually falling into a hug in his arms. Neither her brother nor her former husband have seen her like this—and Jaune was quite frankly still trying to figure out what was going on, his surprise of what happened in the past minute and a half still settling with him.

"Raven…" Qrow started, but he did not finish. As much as he wanted to pin Raven to some metaphorical wall he forced himself to give his sister the courtesy of getting herself to talk.

"I lost her," she finally broke, "I lost Yang." Her strength visibly diminished as she finally broke down to tears in Taiyangs shoulder.

Now Jaune was very confused. "Wait, how do you know what happened to Yang?" He asked. Jaune looked to Qrow, who did not look at all surprised about the question. "Am I missing something?"

"Kid, it's a long story," said Qrow, flatly...but he too was bothered by what Raven said.

Taiyang too was concerned—rightfully so, and his heart sank now that Raven was here to confirm he and Qrow's worst of fears.

"So...Yang is really-..." he started...but he could not finish, because even if he did say it he still would not believe it would be true. He knew from looking at her that the pain in Raven's eyes were not forced, not something she was using to fool him like she would. This was real, genuine and sincere pain—that which a mother would feel after they lost their child. Taiyang honestly did not think she would care...but he was glad there was some part of her that still did—he only hated that it was in this instance and after so many months past.

Then something occurred to him. "It happened just now, didn't it?"

Raven nodded. "I came as soon as I felt her die."


It has been a week since two of the girls have turned. Now the presence could focus more of its power on the remaining two. The girl named Ruby was proving to be very difficult to turn. Nevermind her age and lengthy list of memories it could choose from, it was how pure she was that made it hard to get her to turn, it has already been four weeks and it still could not find anything it could use. Weiss, on the other hand, was another story. There was plenty to choose from.

It was a challenge to set up this particular memory, the presence had finally managed to repair much of the damage done to her head—reconnecting what was disconnected. Neurons and Synapses, such diligent and simple devices for the biological mind to receive and store memories, it was a shame that something so simplistic was also so easy to rupture.

But that was all finished days ago. It had taken every opportunity in the days prior to see what memory would leave this girl vulnerable to turn, and every one came very close. This time, it was certain this would be the one.

Several years ago, maybe when the girl was seven or eight, her family got in a fight—again. It seemed this family had many fights, but this one was interesting. Weiss actually tried to do something.

Once again, she was locked in her room. The sounds of her mother and father were heard, arguing very loudly, possibly about another incident with the company her father headed. That did not stop the father from forcing her to go to her room, left in tears and a slightly pink handprint on her face. Abuse. Why did these memories always stem from abuse?

Weiss laid face down on her bed, crying into her pillow. The pain in her face had long since subsided...but the mark was still present. She wanted so badly for her life to be different; that one day her father would come home with a smile instead of a balled fist ready to hit something. She wished her mother could do more for she and her sister. She wished that there was something she could do—anything that could make a difference in her life. It all felt hopeless, like she was doomed to live this life.

She tried to think back to the times Winter spoke of running away, how she kept saying "it would be so easy" but never actually brought herself to take those steps. Weiss wondered if she could. If she could do what her sister could not, would she be able to escape what might as well have been a nightmare.

Her gaze traveled to the window. She could open it and get out of the room, but there was still a ten foot drop that she was not sure her small and frail body could handle, not without an aura to protect her. However, whatever pain she might endure would be of no consequence compared to the pain she was in now.

Weiss opened the window, wide open so she could crawl through. It was blisteringly cold out tonight, so much so that ice fell from the windowsill and snow blew in. Right now she was wishing she had not left her coat in the foyer...but she stepped through the window nonetheless, at least she wore her slippers while she leaned against the wall with the only surface to step on being a shallow ledge that lined the outside of the mansion. Weiss knew of a tree that was just around the corner, one that was tall enough and large enough to hold her up without fear of falling. The path to that tree would be very difficult, especially when the ledge was covered in snow and ice. She could feel the melted snow seeping into her slippers, freezing her feet to the point of feeling like nails were being shot through her arches. She had to grit her teeth and force herself to ignore the pain.

She had nearly slipped while turning the corner. The fall down certainly looked deeper than it was. Weiss thought of the many ways her falling down could go; which bones would break, how many of them would break, or if she fell and it all ended right then and there. She did not want to die, she would not let the laws of gravity dictate what would happen to her.

Then, there was the tree, tall and large, just as she knew it was. What she did not realize was just how far it was from the wall. It was easily a six foot gap between herself and the closest branch—a branch that did not look at all stable enough to hold her weight. If all else failed, and the branch broke, it would be a ten foot drop straight down into the freezing snow and a possible broken leg or two. Weiss had to give her jump everything she had.

"I hope this works- I hope this works- I hope this…" without thinking, she jumped, putting her foot against the wall and pushed with all the force her young legs could manage. She flew quite a way from the wall, just enough to reach the branch—and she thanked the gods it did not break under her weight. Before she could test her luck she shimmied her way towards the trunk of the tree, Weiss had to ignore the painful freezing sensation in her arms as the ice began to turn her blood veins cold. Once she made it to the trunk she would slide down to the ground safely.

The mansion grounds were large, but the was only one way out: the main gate. There was a long stretch of road that led straight to the mansions gate, it was motion sensor activated for people leaving, so getting through would not be difficult. Though the fact still remained that she was freezing in this weather.

Just as Weiss knew it would, the gate slid open. She was counting on the winds and snow to be too strong for anyone to see her exit—she could barely see the lights of the mansion from the fifty yards she was standing. Both were good things.

Weiss hesitated to take another step though. Something was keeping her from stepping off the grounds and onto the road to whatever life she thought lied beyond the gate. Was it her conscience telling her not to do this? Was it guilt for leaving her sister behind? Was she afraid of something worse than her father? Now her head was full of questions that she had no answers to. Weiss looked back towards the mansion—she could turn back and be back in the warm and safety of her home (as much as the word 'safety' was worth) or she could venture out into the unknown and see where she would end up. Either way...she was terrified. It was one thing to be a Schnee, living in the lavish comfort of her home, but it was another thing entirely for a little girl to be running away into the forest alone.

"I can do this—I have to do this," said Weiss. She took a shuddering breath, and stepped over the threshold of the gate—and for the first time in her life, she felt free.

She took another step—and another—and then another. She was doing it. She was actually doing it. Soon her footsteps turned to running steps, propelling herself quickly against the piercing cold blizzard wind. She did not care, she was free now. She felt like she could go anywhere now.

Weiss had been running for a couple hours now, nothing but countless trees and the road ahead, and it was still freezing cold. Thankfully the wind died down, and she could no longer see her families mansion. At least now she could see things more clearly.

But this was not how it happened. All was white, and there was something she could not see. Something dangerous.

Weiss suddenly felt a sense of dread coarse through her entire body. Some sense of fear so powerful it felt physical, piercing every fiber of her being down into her frozen toes.

"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…"

Weiss' eyes shot open wide with fear as she heard the growing behind her. A wolf. It had to be a wolf. If there was any animal that she knew growled like that, it was a wolf. She turned around to face the beast.

And there it was, large, white, and had pale yellow fangs ready to maul her to death. "Grrrr- bark—bark...grrrrrrrr…" the wolf's pale grey eyes pierced her icy blues with such intensity that only a true predator would be capable of. It was hungry, it was ready, and Weiss was right there for it to take into its jaws—and just like any animal would do, it reared it's hind legs back, and jumped at her.

"Eeeeeeeeee!" Weiss screamed as the wolf brought her to the ground...but something else happened—she was not in the forest anymore.

Now everything was black—like a void—and she was no longer a little girl, but her older self...but the bite mark on her chest was still there—and from it seeped a black ooze.

Weiss' breaths turned to panicked pants as she tried to wipe the ooze off of her, try as she might all she did was get it all over her hands which too were being absorbed by the ooze.

"No...noooo!" She tried even harder to wipe off the ooze, but it thickened into a mud-like sludge that soon covered her whole body. She never realized she was sinking into the void.

"No!" she yelled, her voice strained as she began to have difficulty breathing. As much as she struggled, as much as she fought, she knew could not escape now.

Soon, everything went dark. She was gone.


Salem, Pyrrha, Yang, and Blake stood witness as white flames trialed up to Weiss' vessel, her white silhouette had vanished entirely. It was at this moment that they knew that it was time for the arrival of their newest ally.

The flames died and Weiss' vessel fell to the ground. Like glass it shattered on impact. Weiss' body laid limp on the stone floor.

Salem smiled, happy that she could now call another one of these girls her ally. Just like the three before Weiss, she knelt down and caressed her head. Just like the other girls, Weiss' body convulsed and her joints popped and snapped. She too struggled to stand up, nearly falling backwards as her spine bent painfully backwards...but she did not fall over, she remained on her feet. As she finally straighten up she had the same features as the other girls; white skin littered with black veins, hair that practically glowed whiter than before, and she bore deep red marks that looked like eyes over her left eye and backs of her hands.

"Such pain—such sorrow…" whispered Salem. She gently brought Weiss to face her and quietly said, "I know your pain—alone, and cold…" she then bent down and into Weiss' ear she said, "it is okay now; you are not alone anymore."

Without another word, Salem backed away, and Weiss opened her eyes. They were black, and glowed a bright, light, blue.